LIfe Expectancy Continues to Increase in Bulgaria

Sofia, October 31st (BTA) - Life expectancy in Bulgaria is continuing to increase, show data from the 2017 report on the application of the Updated National Demographic Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria (2012 - 2030). An updated strategy was approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, said Cabinet's press centre.

Future life expectancy for the Bulgarian population, based on calculations between 2015-2017, is 74.8. These results show a 0.1 year increase, compared to the previous calculation period (2014-2016). Life expectancy for men is 71.3 years, while for women it is 7 years longer (78.4 years). City people are expected to live up to 75.6 years, and those living in villages - up to 72.6 years.

There are positive changes when it comes to the standard of living and quality of life. In 2017 the annual income per household member stood at 5,586 leva, which is 8.1 per cent higher than in 2016. Between 2008 and 2017 the annual income per household member went up by 1.6 per cent.

A total of 64,359 newborns were registered in 2017, 63,955 of which were live births. Compared to the previous year, there were 1,029 more stillbirths (1.6 per cent). The average age of first-time mothers in 2017 was 27.1, up from 2016 by 0.1 years. In 2017 the number of live births per woman is 1.56. In 2001 that number was 1.24, and in 2016 - 1.54.

The data shows that the child mortality rate is going down. In 2017, a total of 408 infant mortality cases were registered, or 6.4 per 1000. That is the lowest rate registered in this country. In 2001 it was 14.4 per 1000, in 2005 - 10.4 per 1000, and in 2016 - 6.5 per 1000.

According to data from the National Statistical Institute, as of December 31, 2017 the Bulgarian population was 7,050,034, which constitutes roughly 1.4 per cent of the EU population. Compared to 2016 the population has declined by 51,825 people, or 0.7 per cent.

The most significant demographic tendency in Bulgaria is the aging of the population. At the end of 2017 people over 65 were 1,481,908 or 21.0 per cent of the Bulgarian population. Compared to 2016 the population in this age group has gone up by 0.3 percentage points, and compared to 2001 it has gone up by 4.1 peresentage points, says the Council of Ministers. RY/DT